In all the different years, with different themes, with different camps, and different companions... we all have those little things that are the same each time we come home. So once all the basics are done, what is it you do on your first day on-Playa each year (besides visiting The Man)?

For me; once camp is established, the man visited, and cold beverage prepared... I decorate my bike. It arrives at the event mostly "normal" looking; maybe with a leftover ribbon or blinky light from the previous year. I usually have an idea of what I'm going to do with it ahead of time & pack accordingly, but I always have extra odds & ends "just in case". This way each year I end up with my own little funky, in-the-moment, born-on-the-playa mobile art piece.

"Those who danced were thought quite insane by those who did not hear the music"

I get my camp set up, then I head to the volunteer office, check on my shifts. Once that is under control, I head past centre camp, the man, the temple, head to the Hole and have a beer. Then I head out on my first shift, trying to see if there are any surprises I need to be aware of around the city. Refamiliarize myself with the mountains and city orientation so I don't get lost at night. And most of all I just relax, talking and hanging out with my playa family.

Love Rice

Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."

I don't usually go exploring the man base for 3-4 days. After the camp gets built and other essential duties I go on a big art tour tocheck on the progress of some of the stuff I saw on my way in. Last year my Monday-morning campmate arrivals and part of the advance team enjoyed a post-sunrise tour of all the regional effigies. That was a lot of fun, I look forward to doing that again this year.

Setting up our camp takes most of the day, so by the time its done (or sundown, whichever comes first) we cook up dinner, and catch up with our campmates, most of which we havent seen since last year. Since we arrive before the event, there is no rush to go out and see the city. I do go and check my schedule, but we make it an early night, and usually hit the rack by midnight.